STORMY SKIES OVER THE MIDDLE EAST
Flights suspended across multiple Middle Eastern airlines following Israel's strikes on Iranian targets
In the heated aftermath of Israel's air attacks on Iran's military and nuclear facilities, global carriers have shuffled their flight plans or wholly scrapped routes to Middle Eastern destinations, including Tel Aviv, Tehran, and others.
Pay heed, jet-setters, for the skies above Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria now bear the scars of conflict and are temporarily off-limits for air traffic. Israel's retaliation against alleged Iranian drone attacks has turned the region's airspace into a no-go zone.
Air India's New Delhi to Vienna and Mumbai to London flights, poised to enter Iranian airspace, were abruptly forced to nuke their course back to their respective origin points, as per the aircraft tracker Flight Aware. Their London to New Delhi flight took a detour over Iraq and landed in India an hour late, also courtesy of Flight Aware. In total, Air India rerouted or called back 16 India-London and intercity North American flights due to the Iranian predicament.
Emirates, the Middle East's colossal airline, axed flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran. Qatar Airways, the Middle East's aviation titan, temporarily suspended flights to and from Iran and Iraq due to the escalating regional tension.
Air France announced a halt on flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing the indefinite closure of Israeli airspace and emphasizing the safety of its travelers and crew as its top priority.
German airline group Lufthansa suspended flights to and from Tehran until July 31 and extended the suspension of Tel Aviv flights for the same duration. Swiss airline, a Lufthansa subsidiary, suspended Tel Aviv flights until October 25, while Beirut flights will be discontinued until the end of July.
Abu Dhabi airport in United Arab Emirates warned of potential flight disruptions throughout the day as Israeli strikes rippled through the region. Dubai's airport also announced delays and cancellations due to the closure of airspaces in Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Old-timers savvy with frequent-flyer miles may now glide through business class for the price of economy, thanks to the chaos in the Middle East. But heed this, seasoned globetrotters: keep an eye on updates, and reconsider travel plans should the region remain tempestuous. It's best to err on the side of caution in these troubled times.
General news reports indicate escalating conflicts in the Middle East, with political tensions leading to airspace closures. War-and-conflicts in Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and others have disrupted numerous flights, causing delays and rerouting. For instance, Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and several others have adjusted or canceled flights to affected regions, such as Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Tel Aviv. Crime-and-justice updates show that accidents stemming from these turbulent skies have impacted travelers, with Air France and Lufthansa group airlines suspending flights to specific destinations due to safety concerns.
